Being a woman of influence: Women of God lead the way
“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
Every woman has the capacity to influence those around her; this includes her immediate family, her friends, neighbors and colleagues, and even her community at large. Whether her circle of influence is large or small, what is most important is to use this power for good. The WFWP chapter in Upstate New York looked to spiritual women leaders, including Biblical figures and WFWP Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, for guidance as they explored this topic in a virtual conference held on Saturday, October 24th, 2020.
Entitled "The value and influence of women in this age," the conference featured local WFWP co-chairwomen Charlotte Kiluba and Dorothy Hill, as well as a young woman speaker named Diane Kelalu Hack.
Inspired by a motivational Christian video (watch video here), they focused on how God was able to work with women from the Bible and how they had an influence on others in their lives. Some of these were more well-known examples, like Esther, the Jewish girl who became the queen of Persia and whose story is narrated in a book in her name. Ultimately she used her power and influence as the wife of the king to save her people from a plot to eliminate them. Another famous figure is Rebekah, the mother of Esau and Jacob, who helped her younger son, favored by God, receive the blessing and birthright that usually belonged to the older brother. Other women appeared only fleetingly and even remained unnamed, such as the Shunammite woman mentioned in 2 Kings 4:8-10 who convinced her husband to be kind to the prophet Elisha and offer him hospitality.
Although the women of the Old Testament commonly held a subservient role, and women at that time in history generally did not have many of the rights we enjoy today, these stories reveal that women have always been loved and treasured by God and they have a great capacity to lead.
In the modern era, women have been given more opportunities to shine their light on the world. The speakers highlighted Mother Moon in particular as an influential woman chosen by God to spread a message of peace through WFWP and countless other projects that she has been involved in. Known as the Mother of Peace (which is also the title of her recently published memoir), she has lived her life for the sake of others and become a role model for many women, including Diane Hack, who shared how she has been inspired to support her efforts for peace and development.
God created women with the ability to embrace the world with a motherly heart. As Charlotte Kiluba put it, we are all the extension of the Mother of Peace in our circles of influence. As the light of the world and the salt of the earth, let us live our lives for the sake of God, our families, society and the world.
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Charlotte Kiluba for her contribution to this article.